The Portland daily press., 1887-04-18

had. There was message" by Mrs. e. P.
Webb,sthe president a sketch of Sk0whegan
prepared by Mrs. Sumner Snow, and a series
of toasts that were responded to by promi-
nent men of Skowhegan.
There is at present young lady clerk in
one of the government offices in Washington
who rode seventy miles across the plains
alone on horseback to attend civil service
examination; and passed.well. Her onlylri-
val is Tennessee YOUTH who has energy
enough to serve him in better place than
a government clerkship, showed equal pluck
The exam inati0n was held in Tennessee.
One of the candidates came into the room
just at the last moment. wet, and looking
as if he had just tramped out of the back
woods. He was so weary and in such a
terrible physical condition on account Of
some great strain or fatigue that he was
scarcely able to endure to.s at the table for
the examination. ITO our astonishment'
writes one of the department examiners, ''he
passed first in the examination. But he had
no confidence, as he knew that he was not
in condition to do his best. He put in an ap-
plicatlon for re-examination. and his letter
explained his condition. He had travelled
on foot over two ranges Of mountains in
that there was no train until adate after
the examination. Then he had to 60 back
over one of the mountain ranges and to
walk all the way. In his journey he had to
cross the river, which he did on the float
ing ice, being part of the time in the water
Before his application for re-examination was
received he had been designated and selected
for clerkship in the Second Auditors Of
fee, and his appointment was the reply to
his letter. am told that he makes an ad-
mirable clerk"
In the bright constellation of the social
armament of the capital Mrs. William G.
Whitney is star Of the first magnitude,
writes the Washington correspondent of the
Detroit Tribune. Since her first entrance
therein, when her husband accepted cabi-
net portfolio at the hands of President Cleve-
land, both Mr.. Whitney and herself have
grown in public favor and have proved them
selves valuable adjuncts to the administra-
tion, through the possession of diplomatic,
political and social qualities which are requi-
site to high position.
Mrs. Whitney has achieved social success
at the capital as a hostess and entertainer.
She IS original in ner plans and seems to de-
light in giving little surprises to friends. AS
for instance, lunch to eighteen young ladies
in honor of Mrs. Cleveland with some pretty
souvenir presented to each guest. A tea for
dozen matronS. A musical or reception
in honor of some distinguished guest.
This may even be one of the little secrets
of her great success which is sometimes dis
cussed, and in the attempt to elucidate some
such reasons as the following are given:
well, Mr.. Whitney is a member of the pres
idents cabinet" "A wonderfully bright
man all the same" responded another The
secretary is millionaire. Mrs. Whitney is
immensely wealthy; she is the daughter of
Senator Payne. Why, her brother, Oliver
Payne, gave her half million dollars for
birthday gift" In thedecoration or adorn-
ment of the beautiful home, 1871 | street,
northwest, taste reigns supreme, although
the .unpretentiouss exterior gives no special
indication of opulence on the part of its oc-
cupants